October 27, 2017

Glasgow Warriors 43 - 13 Southern Kings

GUINNESS PRO12 match played at Scotstoun on Friday October 27th 2017 | No comments

George Horne was at the centre of much of Glasgow's best workWarriors continued their unbeaten start to the PRO14 season with a comfortable win over Southern Kings at Scotstoun.

After a tough two weeks in the European Rugby Champions Cup which saw Warriors lose their first two games of the season, Dave Rennie's side returned to winning ways with this 30-point victory.

Meanwhile, the Southern Kings remain winless in the competition and will face Ulster Rugby next at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium.

The hosts could hardly have made a better start, with Sam Johnson bursting through three tackles before jinking his way up-field and offloading to Stuart Hogg.

Hogg had the simple task of running the ball in after barely 50 seconds and, as a result, made it two tries in as many games on his comeback from injury.

However, Kings, who could have easily retreated into their shell after such a start, thought they had pulled level barely two minutes later in a frantic opening as Anidisa Ntsila picked from the base of a ruck to touch down over the line.

Referee Mike Adamson referred the decision to the TMO and the try was disallowed with Luzuko Vulindlu adjudged to have blocked a defender as Alshaun Bock was sent through.

Adamson's whistle continued to ring out and Masixole Banda kicked two penalties - the second a monster from halfway - as the game lost some fluency.

The Kings' defence was found wanting in the 32nd minute, however, as Nick Grigg made ground down the left and Niko Matawalu darted over the line from close-range.

The two were involved two minutes later as Warriors notched their third try of the game, this time with a thrilling move from deep as Adam Hastings burst clear before Matawalu ran 50 metres before he was hauled down.

After going through several further phases Grigg found himself unmarked and able to touch down.

The bonus point was secured after the break as Jonny Gray claimed a lineout before feeding Zander Fagerson, who sneaked round the front and charged over to secure maximum points with 20 minutes remaining.

The Warriors' set piece showed that it was up to the task as the forwards drove over the line following a lineout, with Matt Smith getting the ball down before George Horne added a sixth in a strong finish.

Jacques Nel was gifted a simple intercept try with five minutes to go but Rennie's side had the final word through George Turner's try to claim a seventh domestic win.